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Coco Gauff recently picked Jannik Sinner over Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer when questioned by Nick Kyrgios during the ‘Opening Week’ at the 2024 Australian Open.
Gauff, Sinner and Djokovic are currently in Melbourne to participate in the first Grand Slam of the season. Nick Kyrgios, meanwhile, has been roped in as a commentator after he opted to sit out the tournament due to injury. The Aussie has also been meeting up with his fans and colleagues in Melbourne Park ahead of the main event.
On Friday, January 12, Kyrgios sat down courtside with World No. 4 Coco Gauff for a fun Q&A session while her men’s counterpart Jannik Sinner practiced with his team in the Rod Laver Arena.
The former Wimbledon finalist asked the reigning US Open champion to choose between legends Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and the budding Italian. Given Sinner’s presence in the stadium, Gauff hilariously picked the World No. 4 over the 'Big 3.'
“Sinner! He’s on court,” she laughed as Jannik Sinner halted his play in anticipation.
“I gotta go with Jannik because he’s right here,” she continued, much to the 22-year-old’s relief and the spectators’ amusement.
Nick Kyrgios then reportedly asked Coco Gauff whether she enjoys Japanese or Italian cuisine. Gauff favored the former, thus disappointing Sinner.
“I already picked you for one question,” she reminded the Italian, laughing.
Jannik Sinner and Coco Gauff among the favorites to win Australian Open 2024
Both Jannik Sinner and Coco Gauff are among the top 5 men’s and women’s favorites, respectively, to reign supreme at the 2024 Australian Open.
While Gauff's best result at the Melbourne Slam so far is making the fourth round in 2020 and 2023, she is being considered a serious contender this year, given her impressive run of form on hardcourts in recent months.
Gauff lifted four hardcourt titles in 2023, including her maiden Grand Slam at the US Open and her first WTA 1000 in Cincinnati. Carrying her winning momentum into 2024, she successfully defended her title at the ASB Classic last week.
The World No. 4 is the fourth favorite to win her second Major title, placed only behind the players ranked above her – Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.
Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner, who is bidding for his maiden Grand Slam title, is the third favorite to lift the men’s trophy, behind World No. 1 and 10-time tournament champion Novak Djokovic and World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz.
Similar to Gauff, Sinner enjoyed his career-best season in 2023. The Italian added four trophies to his cabinet, including his maiden Masters 1000 in Toronto. He featured in three other title clashes, including the Miami Masters and the ATP Finals. The World No. 4 also reached his maiden Grand Slam semifinal at the Wimbledon Championships.
Sinner, the 2022 Australian Open quarterfinalist, will kick off his campaign against Botic van de Zandschulp on Sunday, January 14, while Coco Gauff will take the court against Anna Karolina Schmiedlova a day after.
